Cheapest Way to Get WiFi at Home in 2023 (Top Ways)

by Timothy Ronaldson

Updated

The internet powers just about every aspect of life today, from entertainment to work to even medical care. It’s an essential part of life, but it can be expensive, too.

Many people are searching for the cheapest way to get WiFi at home. If you’re one of those people looking for how to get cheap internet, follow some of the tips we have provided below.

Our guide will help you find the top ways to get WiFi in 2023.

What is the cheapest WiFi to buy?

allconnect-comparing-internet-prices

Unfortunately, there is no quick and easy answer, because the options are influenced by where you live, just like ways to get dental work when you have no money or saving money on car repairs.

Each area has its own internet service providers through which you can purchase WiFi.

So, one of the first steps that you need to take when you’re looking for cheap WiFi service is to see who offers it in your area.

Luckily, there are many ways that you can find which service providers are in your area so you can find cheap internet.

You can do this by:

  • Google Search – Simply type in a search such as “WiFi providers in my area” or add your Zip code.
  • Specific Sites – Sites such as HighSpeedInternet.com and AllConnect.com allow you to search available plans.
  • Provider Sites – You can also go to each main provider’s site to search if they offer service in your area.
  • People You Know – Ask people you know in your area which provider they use for WiFi.

With these searches, you can compare the pricing for each service provider to see what fits within your budgeting goals.

Tactic for Success

When you’re searching for available WiFi providers, making sure you’re comparing apples to apples. In other words, make sure that the plans you’re comparing have the same or similar download and upload speeds. This will give you a true sense of which WiFi plans are the cheapest.

How can I get internet without cable or phone line?

There are a number of different ways that you can get internet without a cable or a phone line.

While bundling TV and phone services with your internet may provide you a better price for your internet, it also could result in a rather large monthly bill.

You can even opt for companies that aren’t in the TV or phone business at all. Depending on where you live, you could go with satellite internet service.

This works similarly to satellite TV. Instead of broadcasting a signal that allows you to get channels on TV, though, the satellite service will bring you WiFi throughout your home.

There are some positives and negatives to satellite internet, and it’s important to understand them before you decide whether this could be a good fit for you.

satellite-internet-pros-and-cons

Can I just buy WiFi?

Many telecom providers market their bundled services as a cheaper way to get your internet, TV and phone all in one package from one provider.

However, there are more and more people today who steam all their TV services and who rely solely on cellphones for their phone service.

As such, there are many service providers who offer the option to purchase just WiFi services — and some at a really great price.

Some of these companies will still require you to have a coax cable coming into your home, which then connects to a modem and broadcasts out a WiFi signal throughout your home.

Because WiFi is so popular and in demand today, being used for everything from finding ways to cut your hair at home or even to get free stuff for Amazon reviews, many service providers offer impressive packages for this service only.

Trend on the Rise

WiFi is increasingly important in today’s society. In fact, the average household in the U.S. has 14 connected devices. If this sounds like you, make sure that you have enough WiFi to support everything you and your family need to do in your home.

Some even offer free streaming devices that you can connect to your TV so that you can stream your video services using their WiFi service.

A few years ago, many of these WiFi-only options wouldn’t be available through traditional internet service providers.

But, today, you won’t have a lack of options if this is something you’re searching for.

Tactic for Success

One of the most important things you need to consider when purchasing WiFi service is what you plan on doing on it at your home. For example, will you be working from home, streaming lots of content and more? Knowing what you’re going to do on your WiFi network will help you determine what speeds and bandwidth you need.

Free Government Internet Service

The U.S. federal government knows how important high-speed internet service is today that they are spending loads of money trying to help people access and afford it.

affordable-connectivity-application

In addition to allocating money from the federal budget to build out broadband networks in underserved regions, the government has also created programs that will make it more affordable for people to purchase WiFi for their homes.

One of those programs is called the Affordable Connectivity Program. The government created this $14 billion program to help households afford broadband internet.

While it doesn’t give free WiFi service to households, it does provide major discounts for purchasing the service.

The maximum benefit through the program is $50 per month off your WiFi bill. You can get $75 off your bill per month if you live on a qualifying Tribal land.

You can also get a one-time $100 discount for the purchase of a tablet, desktop or laptop computer if you purchase it from a participating provider.

While this program won’t provide you completely free WiFi, it’s still a great program to take advantage of if you qualify.

Trend on the Rise

While almost all people in the United States need high-speed WiFi, not everyone is purchasing it. One of the main reasons, according to a Pew Research Center study, is that it’s not affordable. In fact, 45% of people who don’t have high-speed internet say it’s because it’s too expensive.

Other Options for Affordable WiFi

There are some other options for cheap or free WiFi at home. Not all of these options will work for everyone, but they are certainly worth looking into.

This includes:

  • Free Hotspots – Some companies are offering free WiFi hotspots, depending on where you live.
  • Tether From Your Phone – You could tether internet from your cellphone, if you have an unlimited data plan.
  • Provider Discounts – Some internet service providers offer discounted plans based on income and other factors.
  • Free Trials – Some providers also offer free trials to internet service if you are a student or have a certain job.

The key to finding cheap, affordable and possibly even free WiFi is to do your research.

Where you live in the country will be a big determining factor in what options are available to you, unfortunately.

While the federal government is looking to bridge the gap in what’s called the digital divide, the coverage areas — and WiFi options — are just not equal throughout the country at this time.

How to Get WiFi without a Provider

There are some options for you to get WiFi at home without going through a traditional internet service provider.

One option is a mobile hotspot. There is a cost that you will have to pay upfront to actually purchase the device.

tmobile-hotspots

Then, you’ll still need to pay for a monthly data service that will give you the actual WiFi.

Some of the benefits of this, though, is that you can take the hotspot with you on the road so that you always have WiFi service, and you can cancel the service any time you want to.

This will allow you to avoid getting locked into a long-term contract.

Along the same lines, you can purchase a USB dongle that will serve as a mobile hotspot. You again will need to purchase a device and sign up for a monthly plan.

However, again, there are some big benefits to doing this if your goal is to get cheap WiFi without a provider.

Finally, you could consider sharing WiFi with a neighbor. If you live close enough, you could split the monthly bill and just connect to their WiFi router.

The downside is that the connection may not be strong from one house to the next.

Wrapping Up

Just about everyone needs high-speed internet access at home today, but it’s not always affordable for everyone.

If you’re searching for cheap WiFi at your home in 2023, following some of the tips we’ve provided in our guide above.

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Tim is a classically-trained journalist who loves to share knowledge and information with others. In the past, he has worked in TV, online and print media, and currently works with companies to help design, create and strategize their messaging.

About the Author

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Tim is a classically-trained journalist who loves to share knowledge and information with others. In the past, he has worked in TV, online and print media, and currently works with companies to help design, create and strategize their messaging.